Page 147 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Court Rejects Telia’s Appeal Over Bite’s Acquisition of MEZON Assets

appeal over its acquisition of the MEZON from Telia against the decision of the
brand and its spectrum launched by rival regulatory authorities to allow Bite to acquire
Telia Lietuva. Bite purchased the MEZON- the spectrum of MEZON. On 16 June 2021
branded retail broadband business, the Vilnius District Administrative Court
including its radio frequency and network fully rejected Telia’s claim, but the following
assets, subscription base and sales month the operator filed an appeal to the
network, in December 2020 after the Supreme Administrative Court. BNS reports
transaction was approved by regulatory that this court has now also rejected the
authorities. In February 2021, however, complaint and upheld the ruling passed by
Lithuania’s Supreme Administrative Court the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court the Vilnius District Administrative Court.
has ruled in favor of Bite Lithuania in an decided to accept and assess a complaint

Arcep Launches Frequency Auctions in French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy

and Saint-Martin

Arcep has launched the frequency in the second quarter of 2023. The 700MHz band and 100MHz in the 3.4GHz-
allocation procedure in the 700MHz and regulator is planning to award four blocks 3.8GHz band. Regarding the 900MHz and
3.4GHz-3.8GHz bands in French Guiana, of 2×5MHz paired spectrum in the 700MHz 2.1GHz bands in Saint Barthelemy, Arcep
Saint Barthelemy and Saint-Martin, and in band and 38 blocks of 10MHz spectrum in will put on offer one paired 2×4.8MHz
the 900MHz and 2.1GHz bands in Saint the 3.4GHz-3.8GHz band in French Guiana, block (910.1MHz-914.9MHz/955.1MHz-
Barthelemy. The regulator highlighted that Saint Barthelemy and Saint-Martin. The 959.9MHz) and one 2×5MHz (1945.1MHz-
the deadline for submitting applications authorizations will be valid for 15 years, 1950.1MHz/2135.1MHz-2140.1MHz), with
has been set as 13 December 2022, with with each successful bidder allowed to the authorizations set to be valid until 30
the procedure scheduled to be completed purchase a maximum of 10MHz in the April 2025.

India Watchdog Fines Google Billions Over Dominance

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) Android compatibility and revenue sharing barriers and “status quo bias”. The CCI
fined Google INR13.4 billion ($162 million) agreements, with competitors unable to investigated Google’s licensing, app store,
after a probe spanning several years over “avail the same level of market access” search services, mobile browsers and
anti-competitive practices relating to its as the US company. It also highlighted video hosting platform in India, concluding
Android OS, the latest regulator to target revenue generated from YouTube and other the company held a dominant position in all
the search giant’s grip on the market. In a apps had resulted in unhealthy market five sectors.
release, the antitrust watchdog explained
it had ordered Google to change its ways
after finding the company abused its
dominant position by mandating device
manufacturers install its entire exclusive
Google Mobile Suite under Mobile
Distribution Agreement without giving
vendors the choice to opt out. The same
agreement allowed Google to ensure key
entry points including the Google App and
Chrome browser are set up on Android
handsets, furthering the discovery engine’s
already significant position. The CCI argued
Google established a monopoly through
various market agreements to govern
its rights including anti-fragmentation,

147 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022